Houthis Expand Offensive: Over the past month, Iran-aligned Houthi forces have seized a long stretch of Red Sea coastline, held the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint and launched strikes into Saudi territory. They are now mounting a major push to cut supply routes in Taiz while heavy fighting continues in oil-rich Marib. Saudi Arabia has deployed jets and missiles, but U.S. airstrikes were not approved, leaving Riyadh to shoulder much of the military burden. Analysts warn that control of Taiz and Marib — and potential access to export routes — could finance wider Houthi expansion and reshape regional security around the Red Sea.
Houthis Escalate: Seize Red Sea Coast, Push Toward Taiz and Aden
In an aerial view, Yemenis who are loyal to the Houthi group participate in a demonstration staged to support missile forces in protecting the country's sovereignty and to denounce the Saudi accusation that Yemenis are attempting to attack Maca, on Friday in Sana'a, Yemen. - Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images
In the past month, Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen have dramatically intensified their role in the wider Middle East conflict, seizing a long stretch of Red Sea coastline, holding the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint and launching missile and drone strikes that have hit Saudi energy infrastructure and even the capital, Riyadh.
New Offensive Targets Central Yemen
Analysts say the Houthis appear to be entering a new operational phase: a coordinated push to isolate and cut off government troops in the central highlands, with a particular focus on the mountainous Taiz region. Control of Taiz would threaten key supply and transit routes between government-held areas — and could put Aden, the seat of the internationally recognised government, at greater risk.
Women and children, who fled fighting between the Houthis and government forces in Red Sea coastline areas, walk at a camp for internally displaced people near Aden, Yemen, on Saturday. - Stringer/Reuters
“Cutting these routes would threaten a key transport and supply connection between government-held areas,” said Yemen analyst Mohammed al-Basha.
Frontlines, Fighting And Strategic Aims
Fierce fighting has also been reported in Marib province, an oil-producing region long targeted by the Houthis. Yemeni government forces — backed by increasingly intense Saudi airstrikes and artillery support — say they are pushing back in parts of Marib and have launched counteroffensive moves in some sectors.
Observers and think-tanks warn the Houthis may aim to capture oil-producing areas or control export routes through the Red Sea to finance political and military expansion. The Institute for the Study of War said the group could seek to extract and export oil through the Red Sea to fund its activities.
A commercial vessel is anchored off Yemen's coast at Bab al-Mandeb, in the straits connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean on September 12, 2026. - AFP/Getty Images
Regional Responses And U.S. Decision
Saudi Arabia has deployed fighter jets and missile systems to blunt Houthi advances and protect Aden, but Riyadh appears to be bearing the bulk of the military burden. According to regional reporting, requests from Saudi leaders for U.S. airstrikes were considered but ultimately not approved; Washington has signalled restraint amid concerns about widening the conflict and disrupting diplomatic channels with Iran.
Analysts say the Houthis do not need to defeat Saudi Arabia militarily to succeed; their aim is more likely to influence how much financing, intelligence, logistics and air support Riyadh will commit to reversing Houthi gains.
A view of a makeshift camp for people displaced by clashes between Iran-aligned Houthi fighters and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces, in Taiz province, Yemen September 13, 2026. - Stringer/Reuters
Humanitarian Impact
Thousands of civilians have been displaced by fighting along the Red Sea coast and around Taiz and Aden. Large camps of internally displaced people now strain already limited humanitarian resources, and routes used to deliver aid are under frequent threat from active combat operations.
Wider Stakes
Iran appears to be using the Houthis as a proxy to improve its regional leverage, while Houthi leaders seek to consolidate territorial gains and expand their capacity to strike into Saudi territory. Regional actors — including Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt — have so far offered limited assistance, and Turkish officials have signaled potential technical help rather than direct involvement.
This frame grab taken from AFPTV video footage shows a fighter from the Saudi-backed Nation's Shield Forces deployed in Yemen's Al-Kadha area, west of Taiz province, on September 10, 2026. - AFPTV/AFP/Getty Images
The situation remains fluid. If the Houthis succeed in taking and holding both Taiz and Marib and in controlling export routes through the Red Sea, analysts warn the group could finance further expansion and reshape the security calculus around one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
CNN and multiple regional analysts contributed to this reporting. Houthi spokespeople were contacted but did not provide an on-the-record response by publication.
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